Harrison Jones (Australian footballer)

For the Hawthorn footballer, see Harry Jones (footballer, born 1999).

Harrison Jones (born 25 February 2001) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for Essendon in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Harrison Jones
Personal information
Date of birth	(2001-02-25) 25 February 2001 (age 24)
Original team(s)	Calder Cannons (NAB League)
Draft	No. 30, 2019 national draft
Debut	20 March 2021, Essendon vs. Hawthorn, at Marvel Stadium
Height	196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight	88 kg (194 lb)
Position(s)	Forward
Club information
Current club	Essendon
Number	23
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2020–	Essendon	53 (54)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 1, 2025.
Career highlights
2021 AFL Rising Star: nominee
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early football

Jones played junior football with the Gisborne Rookies in the Riddell District Football League.^[1] He attended Salesian College (Rupertswood) before moving to Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, where he played football for the school.^[2] His school football coach likened him to St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt due to his 'enormous work-rate'.^[3] Jones played for the Calder Cannons in the NAB League,^[4] where he played predominantly as a ruck. Over his two seasons with the Cannons, he played 15 games, averaged 9.3 hitouts and 12.8 disposals.^[5] He also played for Vic Metro in the 2019 AFL Under 18 Championships, where he kicked 4 goals from 4 games, and averaged 9.3 disposals.^[5]

AFL career

Jones was drafted by Essendon with pick 30 in the 2019 AFL draft, their first selection of the draft.^[6]

Having not made a senior appearance in his first season at the club, Jones debuted in round 1 of the 2021 AFL season^[7][8] On debut, Jones collected 13 disposals and kicked 3 behinds. In round 14 against Hawthorn, Jones was nominated for Rising Star kicking 2 goals and 1 behind.^[9] The following week, Jones was nominated for Goal of the year against Melbourne.^[10] Having played the first 16 matches of the season, Jones suffered a foot injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season.^[11][12]

Jones' injury troubles continued over the next couple of seasons, with an ankle injury sidelining him for the first half of the 2022 season,^[13] making his return in round 11.^[14] In 2023, Jones only managed 5 matches before he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his back, while also being sent for an ankle reconstruction with the goal of having his ankle issues fixed by the next season.^[15] Jones signed a one-year extension to remain at Essendon for 2024.^[16]

In 2024, Jones was finally able to put together a full season of football, playing 21 of a possible 23 games and deployed in a new role on the wing.^[17][18] Jones hit a trigger on his contract for an extra season, having surpassed 10 games played in the season, to remain with the club for 2025.^[19]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of 2024.^[20]

Legend

G	Goals	K	Kicks	D	Disposals	T	Tackles
B	Behinds	H	Handballs	M	Marks

Season	Team	No.	Games	Totals							Averages (per game)
				G	B	K	H	D	M	T	G	B	K	H	D	M	T
2020	Essendon	23	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2021	Essendon	23	16	20	6	77	40	117	57	21	1.3	0.4	4.8	2.5	7.3	3.6	1.3
2022	Essendon	23	10	13	5	44	32	76	28	14	1.3	0.5	4.4	3.2	7.6	2.8	1.4
2023	Essendon	23	5	2	4	29	16	45	21	4	0.4	0.8	5.8	3.2	9.0	4.2	0.8
2024	Essendon	23	21	18	11	145	83	228	103	32	0.9	0.5	6.9	4.0	10.9	4.9	1.5
Career			52	53	26	295	171	466	209	71	1.0	0.5	5.7	3.3	9.0	4.0	1.4